The SIGNAL Blog

Many forward deployed ships in the U.S. Navy are becoming independent command and control (C2) nodes as they adapt for more complex missions, according to the commander of the Third Fleet. Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, USN, told a luncheon audience that C4I is the key enabler for the fleet.

The U.S. Navy must re-invent, re-set and re-design to meet its mission challenges in the face of anticipated defense budget cuts, said panelists presenting "straight talk from warfare commanders." This re-engineering must include new technologies to improve system efficiencies; increased training and simulation; and improved acquisition processes.

China is moving systematically to be a world power in economics and military operations by 2050, say panelists discussing whether China is a friend or a foe. However, none of this morning's panelists from the "China: Friend or Foe" breakfast dialogue could resolve that overall issue. They noted that many of China's moves are based on supporting its long march to modernization, and it sees continued peace in East Asia as a key to achieving that goal. However, it believes it must be able to counter U.S. military power to ensure its continued progress. And, it has gone to war frequently in the past 60 years, often while at peace.

No solution to the cyberspace threat seems imminent or even obvious, according to a panel asked "What keeps you up at night?" Cyberspace enemies can attack anywhere, and they don't need to expend any extraordinary resources to be effect in the infosphere.

The only way to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) is to treat them as strategic weapons, says Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Metz, USA, director, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). And, with that approach, networking may be the key enabler. "We are in a long war against extremists," the general stated, and he described in blunt terms the atrocities these extremists commit against innocent people, particularly women. This will be a long fight against an enemy whose weapon of choice is the IED.

The current political picture of looming defense budget cuts poses considerable threats to national security, according to all of the panelists addressing force structure balance at West 2009. They warned against losing valuable advantages against adversaries in the name of economics.

Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, USA, former commander, U.S. Southern Command, dominated the morning discussion at with several impassioned statements that shattered common perceptions. Noting that defense spending constitutes only about 4 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, Gen. McCaffrey declared that the United States is not spending too much on the military-it's spending too little.

Gen. McCaffrey decried suggestions that the United States could cut its nuclear deterrent drastically. He warned that "we walk away from our nuclear deterrent at our own peril," and he predicted that massive strategic cuts could trigger nuclear proliferation among 30 nations.

He also addressed generals and admirals, telling them that it is not their role to cut the budget. Instead, they should address the national security threat and leave it to Congress to fulfill its role under Article 1 of the Constitution to raise and support a military, "and they're not doing their job," he said of Congress.

Much remains to be done even though the U.S. Navy has reconstituted its fleet response plan to suit a new era in which is must do more in less time, said Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, USN, commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has been awarded an Energy Savings Performance Contract by the U.S. Department of Energy to design, construct and obtain financing for projects that will reduce energy and water consumption and costs and promote the use of renewable energy technologies across federal agencies.

Alion Science and Technology has won a task order valued at nearly $3 million to perform technical tasks for Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition System (PM MAS). PM MAS has the mission of providing life cycle management for large, medium and small caliber direct fire munitions for the U.S. Army and other services.

Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) has been awarded a $3.3 million contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Field Operations. Under the terms of the contract, which has one base year and two option years, DRC will provide comprehensive quality assurance program management services to the USCIS Application Support Centers biometrics system.

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